Gemstone-oriented jewelry involves more than just the initial sale.  Because it is used over long periods of time, repairs and maintenance are necessary.  When taking in jewelry for repairs, one must fully understand its condition and the pros and cons of making the repair.  These must then be explained to the customer to their satisfaction.

An inspection of repair items reveals how they are used—some pieces have obviously been worn with care, while a favorite piece may be very dirty or severely damaged from daily use.  At the same time, the make of the jewelry also becomes apparent.

Poorly made jewelry is prone to trouble such as missing stones, and can be a source of disappointment to the customer using it.  Placing priority on design over construction sometimes results in jewelry with areas where the precious metal is too thin, making repairs impossible.  On the other hand, you also come across pieces of carefully fabricated jewelry with breathtakingly wonderful make, or that have been created with a consideration for their eventual maintenance.

Looking at such pieces underscores the importance of the “conception” of jewelry that precedes the step of actually making the jewelry.  It is important to consider not only the visual beauty of the jewelry, but also its construction, the beauty of the gemstones and the effect of combining them, and appropriate stone-setting methods, as well as the comfort while wearing it and the balance between light weight and durability.  The more a customer enjoys a piece, the more they become attached to it, to the point where they seem to always want to wear it.  The important thing is to create jewelry that the customer will purchase, use, and enjoy, and to back it with service.